Annabeth
As we fall deeper and deeper into the abyss, I clutch Percy's arm as tightly as I can. Guilt rips through my chest. It's your fault he's here. If you'd just cut the webs…The snarky voice in my head reminds me mercilessly. It's selfish, I know, and I would never admit this aloud, but I am so glad I will not face this alone. After following the Mark of Athena, I realise how lonely I've been without him. Besides, his face is determined and brave, whereas I'm sure mine is still dirty with tears and mud with fear etched into my features.
"As long as we're together, we're okay." He reminds me quietly, pressing his forehead against mine. My eyes search downwards for any sign that we're reaching the ground, but the view has not changed from what we could see while we were at the top.
"Percy." I whisper. "How will we even move down there? How can we kill anything while it's in Tarturus?" My voice is rising unsteadily and tears fill my eyes. I look deeply into his green eyes, the exact colour of the sea. Steady, but dangerous. Calm, but on the edge of a furious storm.
"I know, Annabeth." He sighs. "I know."
"What will we do?" I ask again.
"Stay together." He says simply, and he presses his lips to mine without releasing his hold on me. I sigh into the kiss and he smiles at me, and I smile because everything has changed around us, but he is still the same Seaweed Brain, and he is still mine. And with someone like him to hold me steady, the occupants of Tarturus need to watch themselves. He pulls his head away from mine, and looks down suddenly. I follow his gaze and see we're nearly at the ground. I can make out an empty room, shrouded in shadowy darkness.
Percy POV
Annabeth's small smile falters as soon as she sees the ground. I open my mouth to comfort her, but at that moment, we hit the ground, hard. She cries out in pain.
"Your ankle! I forgot!" I exclaim, annoyed at myself. I mutter a Greek curse under my breath. I'm in pain too, but it's just bruising, and I climb to my feet easily. Annabeth's sat on the ground clutching her ankle. "Can you stand?" I ask. I hold my hand out to her and help her to feet.
"It's not rebroken," She tells me. "I just knocked it."
"First bit of luck today." I comment, and I am rewarded with a weak laugh. She throws her arms round my neck and rests her head on my chest. I sit by her, and wonder how we two heroes, who have always had no luck but always survived, can survive this time.